A troubling new trend on TikTok sees users dropping heavy items on their feet for entertainment, prompting warnings from health experts about the risks of injury.
TikTok, a prominent social media platform, has become a space for various trends, some of which raise safety concerns among experts. A recent development, described as a “troubling” trend, involves users sharing videos of themselves dropping heavy objects onto their feet. This challenge is being circulated under the hashtag #droppingthingsonmyfoot and has garnered attention due to its potential for harm.
The phenomenon has seen hundreds of users participate by posting videos demonstrating the practice. These clips often feature a range of heavy household items such as air fryers, vacuum cleaners, glass jugs, and wooden tables. Participants frequently rank the pain associated with each object after performing the act, engaging viewers with both the spectacle and the aftermath of their self-inflicted injuries.
Among those participating in this viral trend is Luke Pilling from Bolton, whose videos have attracted significant online viewership—with one clip amassing over one million views. In this video, he vividly captures his reactions as he jumps around his room in visible distress after dropping several items on his feet, including a candle holder, a pan, a dartboard, an air fryer, and a computer monitor. His content has reportedly continued to gain traction, with another video reaching four million views in which he showcases additional instances of dropping objects onto his legs, concluding with a display of his bruised shin.
Dr Benjamin Bullen, a lecturer in podiatric medicine at the University of Galway, has expressed concern regarding the trend, emphasising that it poses a risk of lasting injury. Speaking to PA, Dr Bullen stated, “I find the viral #droppingthingsonmyfeet TikTok trend troubling and strongly encourage readers not to engage in this risky challenge. This trend, encouraging participants to drop sharp and increasingly heavy household objects on their feet, is highly likely to result in foot injuries.” He further highlighted the particular vulnerability of young people, noting that involvement in such trends could lead to long-term pain and disability due to potential damage to the nerves, bones, and joints of the feet.
As TikTok continues to facilitate the rapid spread of various trends, the implications for participant safety remain a significant concern for medical professionals. The platform’s guidelines aimed at prohibiting violence and harmful content face challenges in effectively curbing such dangerous behaviours.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.tiktok.com/discover/broke-my-leg-from-doing-the-dropping-things-on-foot-trend – This URL supports the claim about the ‘dropping things on your feet’ trend on TikTok, where users share videos of themselves dropping heavy objects onto their feet, highlighting the potential for harm.
- https://www.tiktok.com/@darrenmeechan/video/7470112308098829601 – This URL provides evidence of the ‘dropping things on your feet’ challenge on TikTok, showcasing how users participate in this trend by posting videos of themselves dropping various objects onto their feet.
- https://www.vumc.org/injuryprevention/tik-tok-dangerous-challenges-parents-be-watchful – This URL corroborates the concern about safety on TikTok, highlighting other dangerous trends and challenges that have raised alarms among experts and parents.
- https://www.noahwire.com – This URL is the source of the original article discussing the safety concerns related to TikTok trends, including the ‘dropping things on your feet’ challenge.
- https://www.bbc.com/news/health- – Unfortunately, there is no specific URL available to directly support Dr. Benjamin Bullen’s concerns about foot injuries from this trend. However, BBC News often covers health-related topics and could provide relevant information on similar safety concerns.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative does not appear to be recycled from older content, and it discusses a current trend on TikTok. However, without specific dates or recent updates, it’s challenging to confirm its absolute freshness.
Quotes check
Score:
6
Notes:
The quote from Dr. Benjamin Bullen is attributed to an interview with PA, but the original source or date of the interview could not be verified online.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from a well-known publication, the Express, which generally provides reliable information. However, the credibility can vary depending on the specific topic and sources used.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims about the TikTok trend and its potential risks are plausible, given the nature of viral challenges on social media platforms. The involvement of a medical professional adds credibility to the safety concerns.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative appears to discuss a current and plausible trend on TikTok, with concerns raised by a medical professional. While the freshness and source reliability are generally good, the lack of specific dates and unverified quotes slightly reduce confidence.
